Memorial Sale!

It's Memorial weekend! Went shopping from groceries to department stores...bought a hooded sweatshirt for only $3! Vic Firth drumsticks for $1 a pair!!!! boxing training set for less than $250 includes the gloves, jump rope, speed bag, punch bag & the stand! We also got rebates from computer power supplies.Wah! Why do holiday sale always as if your credit cards have been robbed. :D But oh well, it's worth the shopping. It's very rare when events like this comes. especially when signature or branded goodies went on sale or even free after rebate, BUY IT!

Work Now

At last, I've start working in Downtown LA just this Monday. The job's quite fine, Mon-Fri, 9-6pm as usual. The pay's a little ok, at least I could finally have a little income rather than staying at home all day. I hope I could pull this off...somehow :D

One Month To Live

Our church is holding a series called One Month To Live taken from the book with the same title. It's like The Purpose-Driven Life book challenge for 30 days, living your life as if you have one month to live. It challenges us to Live Passionately, Love Completely, Learn Humbly, and Leave Boldly. I personally have this weakness of procrastination. I always delay things that I have to do. And too lazy to do it. This week, Ptr. Gary, head pastor of our church conducted the 2nd week of the series. He named his own top ten "what would I do if I have one month to live?" list. So he named some until he reaches the #1. His top list is to sing a song and dedicate it to his wife. Here's the video clip of him singing a full-length song together with the worship band! :D That is why the emcee during the intro of the service said it's better if the people would sit in front. It's the best time to take videos. :D

Our Story by: Alvin

This is from Alvin's blog, recalling how everything was put together... in God's timing :D Enjoy!

Cheri and I go a long way back since 1997 where IRC (Internet Relay Chat) was one of the most popular past times people do. I started a channel called #christian. It was a small place where we talk about God, friendships and anything about life. Little did we know that this was the introduction to our story. We first saw each other during a gig by my old band Red Sea Parting at Liberty Hall back in 1999. Out of all the songs that was played there was only one song that stood out (yeah, we messed up on the other songs..) it was the song "If You Believe". I certainly had no idea that this would be the song that would tell the story for the things to come. As I recall, when our band finished playing our stuff, we mingled with the audience, and of those was Cheri. We both spoke briefly and later asked her to hit the drums after finding out that she herself was a drummer. I could only remember saying "WOW!, have I chatted online with her? She rocks!" to my other friends. It was merely a friendly acquiantance.

I left for the US the following year and haven't heard from her since.

In 2002, during my vacation to Manila, I met her again.. and to my surprise, she has been going to my church(Christian Bible Church of the Philippines) and are very good friends with my buddies. I got to know her better and this is where our friendship started. We've continued chatting online since then and got to jam together during my 2nd visit to Manila in 2004, around this time we became the best of friends. It was also during this time that Cheri also had me read the book "Boy Meets Girl" by Joshua Harris as I just recently gone through some rough times of breakup. The book pointed out the Godly ways of handling relationships which was completely opposite on what I was doing. It did put me on the right direction and allowed God to use me in the area of true worship. We both continued our communication online and even as world's apart, it felt really close as we were always there for each other.

After another two years, 2006. Me and Cheri both decided to do a recording the songs that I wrote, and upon my arrival, we both knew deep inside that our paths are pointing to each other and how much we like and appreciate each other as a person, we didn't rush anything, I went back to the States and allowed God to reveal His plan.

We both had been praying for the special someone for God to provide for years.

I had believed, so did she.

Thanks for reading this, hope you'd be blessed by it and continue to put your trust in Him.

IF YOU BELIEVE

words and music by Alvin Ong

Look above the heavens and see for certain signs
We're searching for the answers and ask the question why
That's how it's came to be
It's so hard to see

If it's for you and me to be

Chorus
If you believe that it's you and me
Then our God will set us free
You and me are meant to be
If you believe that the stars would shine
Then together we'd be shinning bright
It takes for you and me to see

If you believe

Love involves decision, baby look into my eyes
Give God each and every moment, He'd be the one to lead your life
Don't be afraid
Just bow down and pray
We'd be together someday

Bridge:

Someday when we'll find in each others arms
I know we would never be apart

Biking = Burning

For 2 weeks, we've been biking along beach shores. Last week we went north from Manhattan Beach to Marina Del Rey to Venice Beach... it's a nearly 30 to 40-mile bike route for 3 hrs. Very hot that day, but still wearing my jacket & pants. It served as my thermal suit. I forgot to put sun block. :D
This route is more adventurous that the other route going to the south. The yachts of Marina Del Rey (i didn't took photos of it :( ), then the busy streets or Venice Beach. It's quite scary at first, becoz I remember Quiapo, one place in downtown Manila, where many people, different lifestyles & different kinds. I can't keep from being paranoid of my surroundings and always keeping an eye of our belongings. :D But Venice Beach is a little different. There were many stalls, street performers, graffiti among walls & benches. It is fun but we can't go further towards the end of it...it's very very hot, there were many people and we have to go back another 20 miles. Talk about aching legs, we have to go up the inclined road of Manhattan beach :-/ Check out more photos at my multiply